Larry Grant returning to 49ers after all

Backup inside-linebacker Larry Grant signed his restricted free-agent tender Monday and participated in the first day of the 49ers‘ offseason workout program, his agent said.

Grant, 27, who will earn $1.26 million this season, will become an unrestricted free agent next year.

After the Niners placed an original-round tender on Grant – meaning teams would have to forfeit a seventh-round pick if they signed him – it appeared the four-year veteran would be playing elsewhere in 2012, given his solid performance last year. But with the markets for inside linebackers and restricted free agents soft, Grant returned to San Francisco.

Grant, who started eight games for the Rams in 2010, played like a starter in 2011 while spelling Patrick Willis. After Willis was injured in the first quarter of a win against the Rams on Dec. 4, Grant collected 29 tackles, two sacks and defended five passes in three-plus games. He capped his fill-in performance by sealing a Christmas Eve win at Seattle with a sack-and-strip of Tarvaris Jackson.

Grant’s signing shores up an area of need for the 49ers. Tavares Gooden, who played 12 snaps last year, had been the only backup inside linebacker on the roster.

Schedule release: The NFL’s 2012 regular-season schedule will be announced at 4 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN and NFL Network.

The 49ers’ opponents have been set, but the dates of their games have not been established. Via Twitter, Fox’s Chris Myers indicated that San Francisco might visit Green Bay in its season opener Sept. 9.

In addition to their games against NFC West opponents, the 49ers will host the Bears, Lions, Giants, Bills and Dolphins. They will visit the Packers, Vikings, Saints, Patriots and Jets.

Preseason opener: The 49ers will begin the preseason Friday, Aug. 10, when they host the Vikings at 6 p.m. at Candlestick Park. Per NFL rules, teams can open training camp 15 days before their first preseason game, meaning San Francisco could begin camp as early as July 26.

In the second week of the exhibition season, the 49ers will visit the Texans at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. They will travel to meet the Broncos at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, and will finish the preseason with a home game against the Chargers at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30.

The game at Denver will be televised nationally on Fox. The other three games will be carried by KPIX (Channel 5).